Scripture: Hebrews 12:1–3

Contributor: Deacon Selena Washington

KEEP RUNNING THE RACE

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

Hebrews 12:1–3 uses the metaphor of an athletic race to describe the Christian journey of faith. It emphasizes endurance, the removal of distractions, and the ultimate example of Jesus' own sacrifice.

Encouragement from the Past: The "cloud of witnesses" refers to Old Testament heroes (like Abraham, Noah, Moses, Enoch) whose lives testified to God's faithfulness.

Laying Aside Weights: means getting rid of anything—even things that aren't "sins" but are just distractions or bad habits that can slow you down.

Casting Off Sin: This is specifically sin which encircles you, that trips up the runner, calling for a life of active repentance.

How do we do this? Hebrews 2 tells us to look unto Jesus. He is our example of perseverance.

The core instruction is to look away from your sinful nature, focus on Jesus, and endure the marathon of a Christian life.

When you feel like giving up, think about what Jesus went through. Comparing your "hills" to His "mountains" gives you a reality check that helps you find the second wind you need to keep moving. Keep your head up and "lock in."

Let us pray:

Father, I come before You, thanking You for the great cloud of witnesses that surrounds me, reminding me that I am not walking this journey alone. Lord, I ask for Your strength and grace to lay aside every weight and the sin that clings closely to me.

Help me to run with perseverance the race that You have set before me, not looking to the distractions of the world, but fixing my eyes solely on Jesus. Thank You, Jesus, for being the author and perfecter of my faith. May I walk in constant obedience and dependence on You, living as a faithful witness, until I reach the finish line.

In Jesus’ name, I pray.

Amen.

SUBMITTED BY DEACON SELENA WASHINGTON

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Scripture: Psalm 51:10-12

Contributor: Eld. Apryl Redwood

Say Yes and Start Fresh

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from

your presence and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Psalm 51:10-12 ESV

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Scripture: Matthew 4:1-2

Contributor: Eld. Rev. Dennis Henderson

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the

devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was

hungry.”

Matthew 4:1-2

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Scripture: James 4:7-8 NIV

JUST TO BE CLOSE TO HIM

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from

you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.

James 4:7-8 NIV

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“At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three In the afternoon. And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘ Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ (which means, My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?).” ~ Mark 15:33-34 NIV

Scarred, broken, brutalized, and scorned, He watched from the cross alone. With an agonized gaze, He looked upon the vicious mockery of ignorance that was born out of an illusion of lustful power, as they stood crazed by their crime, but their plight touched Him still. With lifted head in the midst of hurtling shouts of ridicule and contempt, he shouted “Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabachthani”. God turned His back on His Son who voluntarily became sin when He embraced God’s will and not His own. The earth fractured, the sun refused to shine, and time stood still as sobs were silenced, tears froze; minds were bewildered; hearts were assaulted: what has happened here? Blood mixed with water streamed down a pierced side moved a complicit infidel to become a converted believer amid the chaos and fear.

The death of hope mourned the living for three days while defeat lay wrapped in cloths too insubstantial to hold the power of life. Up from the grave He arose carrying the keys of death; riding on the wings of eternity, He ascended to the heavens to sit on the right hand of God Almighty, to judge the quick and the dead. Jesus, the One who came to save His people, all people, from the power of sin and death rose as the bright morning Star, our Horn of salvation who redeems the lost, our Deliver who comforts the downtrodden, the Bread of Life who feeds the hungry, the Vine who offers the water that forever satisfies.

Oh, King of glory, the victim turned Victor, the scorned turned Savior, the abused turned Abba, the ridiculed turned Redeemer, the resurrected One is the Divine; we worship You. Amen and Amen.

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I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

John 14:27 NIV

A soft breeze. A gentle touch. A warm embrace. A heartfelt “I love you.” All of these give us a sense of peace, calm and comfort. Peace is something that can’t be overstated. It helps us to navigate through difficult waters. It sustains us through trying circumstances. It steadies us during times of loss and despair. And it surrounds us when living life on life’s terms becomes unsettling. It’s so good to know that, in times of turmoil and seasons of upheaval, the source of lasting peace, Jehovah-Shalom, is right there to dispense a measure of something that we can’t fully comprehend but we willingly embrace. So today, I invite you to enter into the cocoon of peace our loving Lord has prepared for each of you.

Let us pray:

God of all peace, we thank you for the space that You have provided for Your people – a space of tranquility in the midst of turbulence, calm in the face of confusion and stillness in the eye of the storm. Remind us, during times of trouble, that You are our peace and that we can resort to You at any time. This we pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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“They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” ~ Luke 19:44 NIV

Lenten lesson: Be Still

In a world filled with so many things competing for our attention: X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. The latest posts, call us from a place of stillness, where we can “recognize the time of God’s coming”.

In our focus Scripture above the writer points to a punishment, “a dashing to the ground” and “no stone being left one on another” for failure to recognize. A remedy for this busyness is setting aside quiet reflection upon God’s word and prayer. In this place, we pull away from all the distractions of our day to spend time reading, reflecting, and listening for the move of God. In this Lenten season, we can become so focused on attending services, making sure we get right our “Lenten sacrifice” that we fail to just be still with God.

”He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10 NIV).

Let us pray:

Dear Lord during this holy season let us choose to be still so that we don’t miss you moving in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen

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7 I will give honor and thanks to the Lord, Who has told me what to do. Yes, even at night my mind teaches me. 8 I have placed the Lord always in front of me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be moved. 9 And so my heart is glad. My soul is full of joy. My body also will rest without fear. 10 For You will not give me over to the grave. And You will not allow Your Holy One to return to dust. 11 You will show me the way of life. Being with You is to be full of joy. In Your right hand there is happiness forever.

Psalm 16:7-11 New Life Version

In this sacred Lenten journey, we focus to be connected to the very heart of God, the essence of true soul wellness. More than a brand or ideal, it is the reality of abiding in Christ Jesus our Lord. Though connecting with Him deeply may not come naturally, we can take intentional steps to return to His loving embrace when we stray. For He is ever near, patiently waiting wrap His arms around us and give us His peace that surpasses understanding. When our hearts grow tired and we lose our connect, we need redirect ourselves to the One who endured the cross to redeem us. He did this in order that we experience abundant, everlasting life in Him. Let us linger in sweet communion with our Savior, that His joy may become our strength for the journey ahead.

Let us pray:

Most Heavenly and Gracious Father, we feel the longing in our souls for deeper intimacy with You. Draw us close. Help us to know that we are under Your wings. Help us to focus our spiritual senses to Your still, small voice, that we may clearly hear You. In the chaos of this life, remind us to return to the One who calms the raging storms with a word. Give us the discipline and the delight in studying Your Word, that we may know You more. We surrender again to Your loving authority over every area of our lives. Thank You for paving the way to restored relationship through Christ's finished work on the cross. Lead us in the everlasting way, that we may experience fullness of joy in Your presence, this day and for all eternity. In the name of our Risen King we pray, Amen.

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